Sorting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A mail sorting apparatus having an operator&#39;&#39;s console equipped with key-operated switches has a selector section positioned intermediate a mail or parcel propelling device and a diverter section which includes sorted mail receiving trays. Operation of any of the key switches selects a particular related channel or chute in the selector section and a particular related diverter door to be opened in the diverter section so as to present one path which that iemt of mail or parcel post must follow to the desired receiving tray. Operation of an other of the key switches causes the establishment of another particular related path for the article to follow to another receiving tray.

United States Patent 91 Morris, Sr. [4 Jan. 9, 1973 [54] SORTINGAPPARATUS l 76 Inventor: William w. Morris, Sr., 5320 F 'P f' M'Fmlelza Great oak way Columbus Ohio Assistant Exammer-R.B.Johnson 43213 t Attorney-Lon H. Romanski [22] Filed: June 4,1971 [57] 7 ABSTRACT [21] App]. No.: 149,900 A mail sorting apparatus having an operators console equipped with key-operated switches has a selector section positioned intermediate a mail or parcel [2i] 214/11liliifils93l3al0Ao propelling device and diverter Section which I d g l cludes sorted mail receiving trays. Operation of any of l 1 e o arc l 209/ the key switches selects a particular related channel or chute in the selector section and a particular related [56] References Cited diverter door to be opened in the diverter section so UNITED STATES PATENTS V as to present one path which that iemt of mail-or paicel post must follow to the desired receiving tray. 2,613,825 10ll952 Setzer et al. ..2l4/ll R Operation of an other of the key switches causesv the 7 2/1954 Stehlik establishment of another particular related path for 1 the article to follow to another receiving tray.

c agan v 3,343,672 9/1967 DeVries ..209/74 23 Claims, 47 Drawing Figures 6 5 5. I Z4 as; l 24% 55a 2/ s 12 i? 36 [111? Bi] #13 766/ [121 [fi :3 31A H {6 25 5 C to. 35, 50 50 liIlQllIlQl [IQ 3 9 1 [W EJQJ [1 1 e 9 AS 52 W Ijiti/ m -3 d M [l l I l PATENTEDJAM 9197s SHEET OEUF 13 *paa 1 -J 16 I NVENTOR.

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AT TO I? N ENS PATENTEDJAM' 9 ms 3.709382 sum 06 or 13 I N YEN TOR. 5mm Wfimsfi W M ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAN 9 I975 SHEET 100F113 NWN INVENIOR ATTO FPNEYS PATENIEDJAN- 91ers 3.709382 SHEET 13UF 13 ATTO RNEYS SORTING APPARATUS RELATED APPLICATION This application is copending with my previously filed application Ser. No. 802,061 filed Feb. 25, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,782, titled Sorting Apparatus.

Heretofore, various sorting machines have been proposed for the sorting of articles such as items of mail; however, such machines or devices often required complex and costly conveyor systems for both transporting and separating the items of mail; others relied on a combination of gravity for separation and conveyor systems for transportation. This, in turn, required structures of considerable elevation in order to provide sufficient gravitational forces. Other arrangements were constructed in a circular pattern thereby, along with other limitations previously mentioned, automatically eliminating any possibility of expanding the capabilities (if the sorting machine as well as practically precluding its use in a modular manner.

According to the invention the article sorting apparatus comprises a selector section capable of selecting a desired channel for the passage therethrough of the article being sorted and a diverter-receiver section having a plurality of passageways one of which communicates with the desired channel for providing a path for the article being sorted whereby the said article is directed through a door opening communicating with the passageway and into related receiving means.

Accordingly, a general object of this invention is to provide, in an article sorting arrangement, means whereby a first sorting stage is accomplished by structure intermediate the supply of articles to be sorted and the ultimate receivers of articles sorted, and additional meanswhereby a second sorting stage is accomplished by structure following the first sorting stage.

Another object of this invention is to provide sorting apparatus of a configuration and mode of operation which may be employed in a modular manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sorting apparatus which is not intrincically dependent upon gravity or moving conveyor systems for the performance of its sorting function.

Other more specific objects and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description-considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein certain details may be omittedfrom one or more views for purposes of clarity.

In the drawings, wherein for purposes of clarity, certain elements and details may be omitted from one or more views;

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a sorting apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view taken generally on the plane of line 3-3 of 'FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of thearrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sideelevational view of a portion of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 2, having portions broken away andin cross-section;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are simplified views, of reduced size, of the portion shown in FIG. 4 under variously determined operating conditions;

FIG. 10 is a view, similar to FIG. 4 illustrating in elevation additional structure associated therewith;

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are typical fragmentary crosssectional views taken respectively on the planes of lines 11-11, 12-12 and 13-13 of FIG. 10 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 14 is a schematic wiring diagram of control circuitry employable within the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a typical keyoperated switch assembly employed within the circuitry of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 16-16 of FIG. 15 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 17 is a slightly enlarged plan view of one of the deflector units shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with portions thereof broken away and in cross-section;

FIG. 18 isan enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 19-19 of FIG. 18 and looking in the direction of the arrows; I

FIG. 20 is anenlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 17

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 21-21 of FIG. 20 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 22-22 of FIG. 17 and looking in the direction on the arrows;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary portion in plan view, of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 2-4-24 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 25 is an end elevational view of the structure of FIG. 24, during a particular stage of operation, taken generally on the plane of line 25-25 of FIG. 24 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 26 is atop plan view, of reduced size and slightly in perspective, of an element shown in FIG. 24;

FIGS. 27, 28 and 29 are respectively top plan, side and front elevational views of a supply chute assembly shown, in reduced size, in FIG. 2;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 30-30 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the structure as shown in FIG. 30;

, FIG. 32 isa front elevational view of a second form of letter feeder mechanism employable in the invention;

FIG. 33 is a top plan view taken generally on. the plane of line 33-33 of FIG. 32 and looking generally in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 34 isa crossrsectional viewtaken generally on the plane of line 34-34 of FIG- 32 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 35 is a front elevational view of a third form of letter feeder mechanism employable in, the invention;

FIG. 36 is a top plan view taken generally on the plane of line 36-36 of FIG. 35 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 37 is an end view of the feeder mechanism taken generally on the plane of line 37-37 of FIG. 35 and looking in the direction of the arrows; I

FIG. 38 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 39 is a side elevational view of the structure of FIG. 38;

FIG. 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 are enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional views respectively taken on the planes of lines 40-40, 41-41, 42-42, 43-43, and 44-44 of FIG. 38 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 45 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 45-45 of FIG. 39 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 46 is a view taken geneally on the plane of line 46-46 of FIG. 45 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 47 is an enlarged view of actuating mechanism taken generally on the plane of line 47-47 of FIG. 46 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the sorting machine as comprising an operators console station 12 operatively connected to a selector section 14 which, in turn, is operatively connected to a diverter section 16 which may have, in association therewith, a plurality of receiving trays situated on, for example, tray carriers or assemblies 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25.

As illustrated generally by FIGS. 1 and 2, the operators station may be comprised of a general console housing 26, including desk-top-like side portions 28 and 30 between which a selecting or controlling keyboard assembly 32 is situated so as to place the keys within comfortable reach of the operator when the operator is seated. Suitable drawers 34 may be placed on either side of an opening 36 provided for the comfort of the operator.

The housing 26 preferably also contains the various electrical control circuitry and other actuating and motivating mechanisms to be subsequently described in detail. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a suitable supply chute assembly 38 is situated at the rear of the console 12 so as to deliver, in this case, articles of mail 40 to the window-like opening 42 where the operator may read the mailing address thereon and actuate selected keys in accordance therewith. If desired, a code chart 44 may be secured to the front of console housing 26 so as to be of ready aid to the operator in selecting the proper actuating keys, comprising the keyboard assembly 32, according to the ZIP codes or other information appearing on the article of mail to be sorted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the selector section 14 is basically comprised of an outer housing 46 having top and bottom walls 48 and 50 joining rear and forward side walls 52 and 54. The left end of the housing 46 provides an inlet for the articles to be sorted while the right end provides, as will become apparent, a plurality of outlets. (A portion of the front wall 54 is broken away in order to more clearly show the plates and slots, to be described, in the rear wall.) The front wall 54 has formed therein a plurality of curvilinear slots 56, 58, 60 and 62 respectively slidably receiving therein plates 64, 66, 68 and 70 each of a complementary curvilinear profile. Suitable supporting and actuating means, to be described, are provided enabling the selective actuation of the plates whereby they are made to, one at a time, slide through the respective slots and extend laterally a distance sufficient to be in at least close proximity to the inner surface of the rear wall 52. Similarly, the rear wall 52 has formed therethrough a plurality of curvilinear slots 72, 74, 76 and 78 respectively slidably receiving therein plates 80, 82, 84 and 86 each of a complementary curvilinear profile. Further, suitable supporting and actuating means are provided for enabling selective actuation of the plates 80, 82, 84 and 86 whereby they are moved, one at a time, to slide in the respective slots and extend laterally a distance sufficient to be in at least close proximity to the inner surface of the front wall 54.

Without regard to the specific apparatus for accomplishing the control and actuation of the selector plates, FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate, in a somewhat simplified schematic manner, the formation of selector channels by the actuation of one or more of the selector plates. In FIG. 5, a first channel 89 is formed by actuation of selector plate 64 in its corresponding slot 56. As the selector plate 64 is moved inwardly of the housing 46 (with all of the remaining plates remaining in their slots but not extending into the space between the inner surfaces of front and rear walls 54 and 52) a direct channel is formed from the inlet 88 to a first topmost exit 90 thereby enabling the articles of mail to travel a path, designated generally by the arrows, exiting from exit 90 into the top-most passage 92 of the diverter section 16 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 6 illustrates a second condition whereby front selector plate 66 and rear selector plate 80 (the actuated rear plates being shown in hidden lines) are both actuated to form a second direct channel 93 communicating between the inlet 88 and a second upper exit 94 thereby enabling the articles of mail to travel a path, designated generally by the arrows, exiting from exit 94 into the next upper passageway 96 of the diverter section 16.

FIG. 7 illustrates a third condition whereby front selector plate 68 and rear selector plate 82 are both actuated to form a third direct channel 97 communicating between the inlet 88 and a generally medially disposed outlet or exit 98 thereby enabling the articles of mail to travel a path, again designated generally by the arrows, exiting from outlet 98 into the generally medically located passageway 100 of the diverter section 16.

FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth condition whereby front selector plate 70 and rear selector plate 84 are both actuated to form a fourth direct channel 101 communicating between the inlet 88 and a lower outlet or exit 102 thereby enabling the articles of mail to travel a path, again designated generally by the arrows, exiting from outlet 102 into the lower passageway 104 of diverter section 16.

In view of the preceding, it should be apparent channel 89 is defined by the lower surface of upper wall 48, the inner surfaces of side walls 52, 54, and the upper surface of selector plate 64; channel 93 is defined, at its top, by the lower surface of selector plate 80, at its sides by the inner surfaces of side walls 52 and 54 and at its bottom by the upper surface of lower selector plate 66. Channels 97 and 101 are defined similarly to channel 93 while channel 105 is defined similarly to channel 89 of FIG. 5. a

Accordingly, depending on which particular channel is formed by the selective actuation of'the selector plates, mail will enter the inlet 88 and be directed out of the corresponding exit or outlet and into the particular diverter passageway in communication therewith. it should be apparent that the selector section disclosed provides for five degrees of separation of classification from a single source.

Each bank of selector plates (those located at the front side as well as those located at the rear side) may be provided with a supporting structure as typically shown in FIGS. 10, 1 1, 12 and 13.

Referring now in greater detail to FIGS. 13, support structure 110 may, typically, be comprised somewhat longitudinally extending upper and lower anchor members 112, 114 suitably secured to side wall 54 of selector housing 46. Upper laterally extending support members 116, 118 and 120 are suitably secured, as by welding or any other adaptable securing means, at their respective one ends to anchor member 112 and at their respective other ends to a first generally longitudinally extending upper frame member 122, spaced from wall 54. Similarly, lower laterally extending support members 124, 126 and 128 are suitably secured at their respective one ends to the lower anchor member l14 and at their respective other ends to a second generally longitudinally extending lower frame member 130 also spaced from wall 54. The upper and lower frame members 122 and 130, in turn, have connected thereto vertically directed support members 132, 134 and 136 which serve to support the guide and actuating means associated with the respective selector plates.

Each of the selector plates may be provided with brackets 138 secured as at the underside thereof at generally opposite ends. Such brackets may then be respectively secured to spring biased solenoid armatures of solenoid assemblies are preferably mounted to the vertically directed support members as by a bracket 156 also typically shown in FIG. 11.

Further, each of the selector plates is provided with a guide bushing 158 suitably secured to the underside thereof generally between brackets 138. Each of the bushings 158 is adapted to slidably receive therethrough a guide bar 160 which may, in turn, be secured at its opposite ends, as by anchor members 162 and 164 to the vertical support member 134 and wall 54, as typically illustrated in FIG. 13.

Under normal conditions the various selector plates would remain in a position as generally illustrated by FIGS. 11 and 13 which could be achieved by resilient means within the solenoid assemblies (or if desired, additional externally situated spring means). When the suitable solenoid assemblies are energized, as for example solenoids 140 and 142, the corresponding selector plate, in this case plate 64, would be moved inwardly of the housing 46 to a position as illustrated by the phantom line 138 of bracket 138 and the phantom line 64' of plate 64. Preferably, grooves, such as at 166, are formed in the innersurfaces of side walls 52 and 54 so as to partly receive therein the leadin adge 168 of the selector plate. It is anticipated that the articles of mail will travel through the channels in and edge-wise position, much like that depicted at 170; accordingly, the provision of grooves as 166 to receive the ends of the actuated plates will eliminate the possibility ofan opening being formed between the edge 168 of the actuated plate and the inner surface of the side wall in which the edge of an article of mail could become caught.

As has been stated, the supporting structure is typical and would be constructed in a mirror image for use on the rear wall 52 of the selector housing 46. It, of

course, follows that bushings, guide bars and solenoid assemblies corresponding to those associated with structure 110 would also be provided. For ease of further discussion, let it be established that: rear selector plate 80 (FIGS. 4 and 6) is actuated by solenoid assemblies 172 and 174; real selector plate 82 is actuated by assemblies 176 and 178; rear selector plate 84 is actuated by solenoid assemblies 180 and 182 and rear selector plates 86 is actuated by solenoid assemblies 184 and 186.

Solenoid aseemblies 172, 174, 176, 178 180 182, 184 and 186 as well as solenoid assemblies 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152 and 154 are schematically illustrated in the wiring diagram of FIG. 14. For simpliciductor 210 to a plurality of branch supply conductors 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 and 224 as well as an electric drive motor 228 by means of a branch conductor 230 and ground 232.

A first plurality of output conductors 234, 236, 238, 240 and 242 are respectively connected at one end to selector platesolenoid actuating means 188, 190, 192, 194 and 196. A second plurality of output conductors 244, 246, 248, 250, 252 and 256 are respectively connected at one end to solenoids 260, 262, 265, (having reversed windings 264 and 266), 268, and 270 which in turn may be grounded as at 276 by a common conductor 278. As illustrated, conductor 256 is connected directly to ground conductor 278. A third plurality of output conductors 280, 282, 284, 2 86, 288, 290' and 292 are respectively connected at one end to a common conductor 296 which is,'in turn, connected to feeder solenoid assembly 298 grounded as at 300.

For ease of description and purposes of clarity, the various key-operated switches, as diagrammatically illustrated at 302, will be referred to by the reference numbering grid of alphabetical letters A, B, C, D, E, F,

and G for the seven columns and numbers (1), (2), (3),- (4), and (5) for the five rows. Further, let it be established that each of the switches, as switch 302 at (1)A, is provided with four separate electrical contacts respectively connected to one end of branch conconductors 304 would be connected to output conductor 238; in the switches of (4)-A through (4)-G each of the branch conductors 304 would be connected to output conductor 240 and in the switches of (5)-A through (5)G each of the branch conductors 304 would be connected to output conductor 242.

Similarly, in the A column of switches: each of the respective branch conductors 306 would be connected to the branch supply conductor 212; each of the respective branch conductors 308 is connected to branch output conductor 244; and each of the respective branch conductors 310 is connected to the branch output conductor 280.

In the B column of switches: each of the respective conductors 306 is connected to branch supply conductor 214; each of the respective conductors 308 is connected to branch output conductor 246; and each of the respective conductors 310 is connected to the branch output conductor 282.

In the C column of switches: each of the respective conductors 306 is connected to branch supply conductor 216; each of the respective conductors 308 is connected to branch output conductor 248; and each of the respective conductors 310 is connected to branch output conductor 284.

In the D column of switches: each of the respective conductors 306 is connected to branch supply conductor 218; each of the respective conductors 308 is connected to branch output conductor 250; and each of the respective conductors 310 is connected to branch output conductor 286.

In the E column of switches: each of the respective conductors 306 is connected to branch supply conductor 220; each of the respective conductors 308 is connected to branch output conductor 252; and each of the respective conductors 310 is connected to branch output conductor 288.

In the F column of switches: each of the respective conductors 306 is connected to branch supply conductor 222; each of the respective conductors 308 is connected to branch output conductor 254; and each of the respective conductors 310 is connected to branch output conductor 290.

In the G column of switches: each of the respective conductors 306 is connected to branch supply conductor 224; each of the respective conductors 308 is connected to branch output conductor 256; and each of the respective conductors 310 is connected to branch output conductor 292.

All of the switches in rows (1) through (5) are normally open so that at such time no current flow is experienced from any of the branch supply conductors 306 to the respective branch output conductors 304, 308 and 310. However, whenever anyone of the keyactuated switches 302, as shown at (1)-A, is depressed and thereby closed the circuits between conductors 306 to 304, conductors 306 to 308, and conductors 306 to 310 are completed.

. Accordingly, with master switch 208 closed, it can be seen that the closure of switch 302 as at, for example, (1)-B will cause current flow from conductor 210, throughjconductor 214, branch conductor 306, to each of branch conductors 304, 308 and 310. Branch conductor 304 in turn supplies current flow through output conductor 234 to actuating solenoid means 188;

branch conductor 308 supplies current flow through output conductor 246 to solenoid assembly 262; branch conductor 310 supplies current flow through output conductor 282 and common conductor 296 to the feeder solenoid assembly 298. i

In view of the preceding it should be apparent that the switch assemblies 302 are so arranged as to result, whenever closed, in the energization of one particular combination of remotely situated devices. For example, the closure of any of the switches 302 always results in the energization of feeder solenoid assembly 298. Further, closure of any of the switches in any one column always results in the enrgization of the same solenoid assembly related to that column; for example, in column A, the corresponding solenoid assembly would be 260. Additionally, the closure of any of the switches in any one row always results in the energization of the same selector plate solenoid actuating means; for example, in row (5) the closure of any switch always causes energization of solenoid means 196.

FIG. 15 illustrates a typical switch assembly 302 as being comprised of a depressible plunger-like key member 211 having a stem 213 guided within an aperture 215 of a stationary key guide plate 217 and provided with a key head portion 219. A lower stationary abutment plate 221 serves to contain one end of a com-' pression spring 223 which, by means of a spring cup 225 secured to stem 213 by opposed snap rings 227 and 229, biases the key member 211 upwardly to the position shown. A switch member 231, which may be of a washer-like configuration is carried by and secured to stem 213 as by spaced opposed snap rings 233 and 235. An additional snap ring 237 may be provided at the upper portion of stem 213 in order to serve as an abutment against plate 217 when urged thereagainst by the spring 223.

An intermediate support member 239, having formed therein an aperture 241 for the reception therethrough of stem 213, carries a plurality of electrical contacts 243, 245,247 and 249 which are respectively connected to one end of conductors 304, 306, 308 and 310 (also see FIG. 14). Accordingly, any time key member 211 is sufficiently depressed, the switch member 231 bridges contacts 243, 245, 247 and 249 thereby completing the circuits between the branch supply conductor 306 and branch output conductors 304, 308 and 310.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 as well as FIGS. 17, it can bee seen that the deflector assembly 16 is comprised of a plurality of deflectors sections 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e arranged in a generally stacked relationship. As typically illustrated in FIG. 17 by deflector unit 16a, each of the deflector units may be comprised of a main body 301 with side wall portions 303, 305, 307, 309, 311 and 312, and end wall 314 a lower or bottom wall 316 and a top wall 138 (a portion of which is broken away).

The top, bottom and side wall portions 318, 316, 303 and 309 combine to form in inlet passageway 320 in which a deflector-like gate or chute 322 is pivotally situated for purposes to be described. Also, as shown, located between the top and bottom walls 318 and 316 are a plurality of inner walls 423, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 33 8, 340, 342 344 and 346 which combine with said top and bottom walls 318 316 to define respective passageways 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358 and 360 having respective outlet openings 362, 364, 366, 368, 370, 372, and 374 which, as in the case of deflector assembly 16a, would in turn communicate with suitable receiving meanssuch as trays 17a, 18a, 19a, 23a, 24a and 250.

In addition to the above, a plurality of selectively positionable doors are contained within the deflector unit. For example, as shown, doors 376, 378, 380 and 382 are pivotally supported as at 384, 386, 388 and 390. It can be seen that when the cute 322 is in the position shown with deflector door 380 also in the position shown, a path for the flow of mail is thereby defined as comprising passageway 356. If the door 380 were rotated to a position as shown at 380a with deflector door 382 being in the position shown, the mail coming out of chute 322 would flow through channel of passageway 360 and out of opening 374. Further, if deflector door 380 is rotated to its position at 380a while deflector door 382 is rotated to 382a then the mail coming out of chute 322 would pass partly through passageway 360, strike and deflect off of door 382 and continue through passageway 358 finally passing out of outlet opening 372. Similarly, if the chute 322.is rotated to its position shown at 322a, the deflector doors 378 and 376 may be selectively positioned (as shown or to their respective phantom-lime positions 378a and 376a) in order to thereby define paths for the flow of mail as through either of passageways 348, 350 or 352 as the case may be. If, on the other hand, the chute 322 is positioned as at 322b, then the mail passing through chute 322 would pass directly into and through passageway 354 and out of outlet 368.

FIG. 18, in enlarged fragmentary view, illustrates the typical inlet end of the deflector sections or units 16, as well as the chute 322. In the preferred embodiment the typical inlet passageway 320 generally contains rotating wheels 400 and 402 which serve to propel the mail passing therebetween into and through the chute 322. Preferably, the chute 322 is comprised of a main body 404 of generally cylindrical configuration closely received in a complimentary surface 406 and pivotally located therein as byopposed pivotal shaft portions 408 and 410. An extension 412 of the body 404 defines a confining chute portion swingable to positions as incidated in phantom line. As generally depicted in FIG. 19, the upper shaft 408 secured to chute body 404, may be somewhat recessed within cover 318 and provided with a cross-slot 414. The lower shaft 410 extends beyond the lower wall 316 and is provided with a cross tang 416. With this arrangement, it is possible to stack one deflector assembly or unit 16 atop another and have the tang 416 of one chute shaft 410 received in the cross slot 414 of the chute shaft in the deflector unit immediately below.

AS shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the deflector units such as 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d and 162 are in stacked relationship and preferrably situated atop a lower base 22 which may be provided with suitable wheels or casters for mobility. The base 22 may, in turn, carry the various actuating motor means for controlling the positions of the chutes 322 in each of the deflector sections 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d and 16e, providing the driving force for the propulsion wheels carried by deflector units as well as positioning the various deflector doors in each of such deflector units.

As typically illustrated in FIGS. 17, 20 and 21, each of the deflector units 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d and 16e are preferrably provided with a plurality of auxiliary-like propulsion wheels 420 which are arranged in pairs to be respectively counter-rotating in order to operatively engage the article of mail passing through the passageway and propel it toward the corresponding opening or outlet.

As shown 'in FIG. 21, each of the auxiliary drive wheels 420 is provided with upper and lower shaft portions 422 and 424 operatively connected thereto for rotation therewith. The upper shaft portion 422 may be somewhat recessed within the cover or top wall 318 while the lower shaft portion 424 extends downwardly beyond the wall 316. Theupper shaft 422 as a crossslot (or some suitable drive surface) 426 formed therein while the lower shaft 422 carries a tang 428. When the various deflector sections are stacked atop each other, the tang 428 is received within the crossslot 426 of the shaft 422 in the next lower deflector section as depicted in' FIG. 21.

Drive wheels 400 and 402 carriedat the inlet of each of the deflector sections, as shown in FIG. 18, may also be provided with upper shaft portions 422a, corresponding to shaft portions 422 of FIG. 21, andlower shaft portions 424a corresponding to shaft portions 424 of FIG. 21. Accordingly, such shaft portions 422a and 424a would coact in the same manner as shaft portions 422 and 424 when the deflector units 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d and 16e were stacked atop each other.

' FIG. 22, in enlarged fragmentary cross-section, typically illustrates a deflector 'door arrangement. That is, as typically depicted deflector door 382, as well as other deflector doors, may include upper and lower shaft portions 430 and 432 with the upper shaft portions 430 being somewhat recessed within the cover or upper wall 318 while the lower shaft 432 extends below the bottom surface of the lower wall 316. Each of the upper shafts 430 may be provided with a cross-slot 434 while the lower shaft 432 is provided with a tang 436. As shown, when the various deflector units are stacked, the tang 436 of the lower shaft 432 is operatively received within the cross slot 434 of the upper shaft 430 immediately therebelow.

FIG. 23, in enlarged fragmentary plan view, illus trates a portion of the base 22 as being comprised of, for example, upper and lower walls 442, and 444. A

first plurality of stub-like drive shafts 446, 448, 450,

452, 454 and 456 are carried by the base 22 in a manner as to be preferrably recessed within the upper wall 438 and journalled for rotation therein. Each of the first plurality of stub shafts, formed with a cross-slot 458, is geared for counter-clockwise rotation through suitable motion transmitting means as is well known in the art. A second plurality of stub-like drive shafts 460, 462, 464, 466, 468 and 470 are similarly carried by the base 22in a manner as to be recessed within the upper wall 438 and journalled for rotation therein. Each of the second plurality of stub-shafts, formed with a crosssuitable motion transmitting means. r

In addition to the above, FIG. 23 also illustrates the fact that the solenoids 260, 262, 268 and 270, previously referred to with regard to FIG. 14, may be carried by the base 22 and respectively connected through their armatures 474, 476, 478 and 480 to elongated slots 475, 477, 479, and 481 of swingable actuating arms 482, 484, 48 6 and 488 which, in turn, are fixedly connected to stub-like actuating shafts 490, 492, 494 and 496 recessed and journalled for rotation within upper wall 438. Each of the shafts 490, 492, 494 and 496 is provided with a cross slot 498 formed in the upper end thereof. Solenoids 260, 262, 268 and 270 are illustrated in their normal position; that is, when energized, solenoids 260 and 262 cause clockwise rotation of levers 482, 484 and shafts 490, 492 while, when actuated, solenoids 268 and 270 cause counterclockwise rotation of levers 486, 488 and shafts 494, 496.

A fifth solenoid 265, which may be comprised of counter-wound field windings 264, 266 (FIG. 14) is similarly'connected through its armature 500 to an elongated slot 502 of a lever 504 which is fixedly securedto a stub shaft 505 journalled for rotation within upper wall 438. As with the other stub shafts, a cross slot 508 may be formed in the upper end of shaft 506. Suitable biasing springs 510 and 512 may be suitably secured to the lever 504 in order to assure lever 504 attaining or remaining in its illustrated null position when the solenoid 265 is not energized.

In view of the above, it can be seen that when the respective deflector assemblies or units are atacked on the base 22, that: (a) the lower projecting shaft portions 424a of wheels 400 and 402 are drivingly engaged by driving shafts 456 and 470; (b) the lower shaft portion 410 of the lowermost chute 322 is operatively engaged with stub shaft 506; (c) the lower shaft portions 432 of each of the deflector doors 376, 378, 380 and 382 are respectively operatively engaged with stub shafts 490, 492, 494 and 496; and (d) the lower shaft portions 424 of the auxiliary drive wheels 420 are respectively operatively engaged with stub drive shats 446, 460, 448, 462, 450, 464, 452, 466, 454 and 468. In the normalor unenergized conditions: (a) deflector door 376 would be in its solid line position illustrated in FIG. 17; (b) door 378 would be in its phantom line position 378a; (c) chute 322 would be in its phantom line position 322b; (d) door 380 would be in its phantom line position 380a; and (e) deflector door 382 would be in its'solid line position.

Generally, during operation whenever, for example, solenoid 260 is energized, all of the doors 376 on the pivot means 384 (which comprises all of the corresponding shaft positions of the stacked deflector units) are respectively simultaneously moved to their positions illustrated in phantom line 376a in FIG. 17. The same would be true as regards all other elements which are serially stacked on the various stub shafts carried by the base 22.

In view of the preceding and referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 10, 14, and 15, 17 and 23, it can be seen that if switch assembly 302 at location A-( 1) of FIG. 14 were closed, solenoid 260 would be energized, through conductor 244, rotating stub shaft 490 thereby moving all of the stacked deflector doors 376 to their respective positions indicated by 376a of FIG. 17; simultaneously,

solenoid means 188, comprised of solenoids 140 and 142, would be energized, through conductor 234 thereby moving selector plate 64 inwardly (as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) so as .to define the contoured channel or chute 89 as shown in FIG. 5. r

Accordingly, an article of mail caused to travel through chute 89 would exit from outlet 90 and enter the corresponding inlet 92 of the upper-most situated diverter of deflector section 16a and progress through passageway 320 into the chute 322. However, at this time, current has also flowed through conductor means 243 to the winding 264 thereby causing chutes 322 to assume positions corresponding to 322a of FIG. 17.

Therefore, such article of mail will exit from chute 322 of deflector unit 16a and progress generally along passageway 348 until it strikes the deflector door 376 at which point the article of mail would deflect into passageway 350 pass between counter-rotating wheels 420 and be propelled through exit 364.

The same general action would take place if the switches at locations A-(2), A-(3), A-(4) or A-(S) were depressed except that the selector section 14 would be actuated so as to respectively form channels 93, 97, 101 and 105 thereby delivering the article of mail to the respective inlets 96, 100, 104 and 108 of the deflector units 16b, 16c, 16d and 16e so as to cause respective exiting of the mail from corresponding outlets 364 of such stacked deflector sections units.

In comparison, if any of the switches in column G are depressed, chute solenoid 265 is not actuated thereby enabling the article of mail to pass through passageway 354 of the selected deflector unit and exit from the outlet 368 into suitable receiving means.

In view of the preceding, it should be apparent that in the particular embodiment of the invention disclosed, it is possible to select and direct an article of mail to any of 35 different receivers. 4

Thus far, the selector section 14, deflector section 16 and related control circuitry, as well as their related and interrelated operations, have .been disclosed and described. The portions now to be described are those relating primarily to the selection and propulsion of the article of mail.

Referring now to FIG. 24, a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 2424 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, a letter feeder mechanism 528 is illustrated as'comprising a body 530 having a passageway 532 formed therethr ough with radial bearing assemblies 534 and 536 located at opposite ends thereof so as to have the respective inner and outer bearing races engaged with a rotatable shaft 538 and the body 530. A base 540-situated below body 530 provides a journal support for shaft 538 as by another radial bearing assembly 542. Situated generally between and engaging body 530 and base 540 is a thrust bearing assembly 544. Shaft 538 is 

1. A sorting apparatus for sorting articles to be successively taken from a common source and distributed to various receiving means, comprising a plurality of vertically arranged first modular means including a plurality of vertically and laterally spaced passageways for the travel therethrough of successive ones of said articles, each of said first modular means comprising a plurality of door assemblies being selectively positionable so as to thereby cooperate with said laterally spaced passageways in defining paths leading to said receiving means, second means interposed between said common source and said plurality of vertically arranged first modular means and having an inlet and an outlet end, said second means including a plurality of translationally positionable selector means, said selector means being effective to define a plurality of channels, one at a time, communicating between said inlet and said outlet end in a manner whereby said plurality of channels communicate with said inlet but define a plurality of distinctly separate outlets within said outlet ends, said separate outlets when defined by said translationally positionable selector means being respectively generally juxtaposed to said spaced passageways in order to thereby define a substantially continuous path for the travel of a successive one of said articles from said common source through one of said channels into a juxtaposed passageway through an opened door assembly and onto one of said receiving means, and control means for selectively controlling said doors and translationally positionable selector means.
 2. A sorting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a housing having spaced first and second side walls and spaced upper and lower walls, said walls cooperatinG to define said inlet at one end of said housing and said outlet end at the other end of said housing, a first plurality of elongated slots formed in said first side wall, a second plurality of elongated slots formed in said second side wall, each of said first plurality of slots terminating at the respective one ends thereof near said inlet and in relatively closely spaced relationship to each other and terminating at the respective other ends thereof near said outlet and in spaced relationship substantially greater than said closely spaced relationship of said one ends, each of said second plurality of slots terminating at the respective other ends thereof near said outlet end in spaced relationship substantially greater than said closely spaced relationship of said one ends of said second plurality of slots, wherein said selector means comprises a first plurality of elongated selector plates adapted to be respectively slidably received within said first plurality of elongated slots and a second plurality of elongated selector plates adapted to be respectively slidably received within said second plurality of elongated slots, said selector plates being moveable in directions transverse to said side walls so as to at times be placed in an actuated position spanning the space between said side walls, and actuating means operatively connected to said selector plates for at times causing selected ones of said selector plates to assume said actuated position and at other times to withdraw said selector plates from said space between said side walls.
 3. A sorting apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said actuating means comprises solenoid means operatively connected to each of said selector plates.
 4. A sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a housing having spaced first and second side walls and spaced upper and lower walls, said walls cooperating to define said inlet at one end of said housing and said outlet end at the other end of said housing, a first plurality of elongated slots formed in said first side wall, a second plurality of elongated slots formed in said second side wall, each of said first plurality of slots terminating at the respective one ends thereof near said inlet and in relatively closely spaced relationship to each other and terminating at the respective other ends thereof near said outlet and in spaced relationship substantially greater than said closely spaced relationship of said one ends, each of said second plurality of slots terminating at the respective one ends thereof near said inlet and in relatively closely spaced relationship to each other and terminating at the respective other ends thereof near said outlet end in spaced relationship substantially greater than said closely spaced relationship of said one ends of said first plurality of slots, each of said respective one ends of said first plurality of slots being disposed on one side of an imaginary horizontal plane passing transversely and medially of said inlet and each of said respective one ends of said second plurality of slots being deposed on the side opposite to said one side of said imaginary plane, wherein said selector means comprises a first plurality of elongated selector plates adapted to be respectively slidably received within said first plurality of elongated slots and a second plurality of elongated selector plates adapted to be respectively slidably received within said second plurality of elongated slots, said selector plates being moveable in directions transverse to said side walls so as to at times be placed in an actuated position spanning the space between said side walls, and actuating means operatively connected to said selector plates for at times causing selected ones of said selector plates to assume said actuated position and at other times to withdraw said selector plates from said space between said side walls.
 5. A sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a housing having spaced first and second side walls and spaced upper and lower walls, said walls cooperating to define said inlet at one end of said housing and said outlet end at the other end of said housing, a plurality of first elongated slots formed in said first side wall, a plurality of second elongated slots formed in said second wall, said plurality of first slots having their respective one ends terminating near said inlet and in relatively closely spaced relationship to each other and terminating respectively at their other ends near said outlet and in spaced relationship substantially greater than said closely spaced relationship of said one ends, each of said plurality of second elongated slots having their respective one ends terminating near said inlet and in relatively closely spaced relationship to each other and terminating respectively at their other ends near said outlet end in spaced relationship substantially greater than said closely spaced relationship of said one ends of said plurality of second slots, wherein said selector means comprises a plurality of first elongated selector plates adapted to be respectively slidably received within said plurality of first elongated slots and a plurality of second elongated selector plates adapted to be respectively slidably received within said plurality of second elongated slots, supporting structure operatively connected to said housing, solenoid means carried by said supporting structure and respectively operatively connected to said selector plates, and control circuit means for at times energizing certain of said solenoid means, said certain energized solenoid means being effective for translationally moving said selector plates connected thereto through said slots so as to transversely span the space between said side walls.
 6. A sorting apparatus according to claim 1 including feeder means for intermittently and successively causing said articles to be taken from said common source and introduced into said second means, said feeder means comprising a relatively resilient member frictionally engageable with successive ones of said articles at said source, a drive member for carrying said resilient member toward and away from said source, guide means for causing said resilient member to travel in a substantially linear path after said drive member has moved said resilient member toward said source a predetermined distance, said guide means being effective for enabling said resilient member to frictionally engage one of said articles and move said one article toward said second means as said resilient member travels in said linear path, and additional guide means effective after said resilient member has traveled a predetermined distance along said linear path for causing said resilient member to move in a direction away from said source.
 7. A sorting apparatus according to claim 6 including disengageable abutment means effective for abuttably restraining further movement of said resilient member after said resilient member has moved a predetermined distance in said direction away from said source.
 8. A sorting apparatus for sorting articles to be successively taken from a common source and distributed to various receiving means, comprising a plurality of vertically arranged first modular means for continuously defining a plurality of vertically and laterally spaced passageways for the travel therethrough of successive ones of said articles, each of said first modular means comprising a plurality of door assemblies being selectively positionable so as to thereby cooperate with said passageways in defining paths lead to said receiving means, second means interposed between said common source and said first means and having an inlet and an outlet end, said second means including a plurality of translationally positionable selector means, said selector means being effective to define a plurality of channels, one at a time, communicating between said inlet and said outlet end in a manner whereby said plurality of channels communicate with said inlet but define a plurality of distinctly separate outlets within said outlet end, said separate outlets when defined by said translationally positionable selector means being respectively generally juxtaposed to respective second inlets of said plurality of vertically arranged first modular means communicating with said laterally spaced passageways therein in order to thereby define a substantially continuous path for the travel of a successive one of said articles from said common source through one of said channels into a juxtaposed second inlet through a path defined by one of said door assemblies and passageways and onto one of said receiving means, including feeder means for intermittently and successively causing said articles to be taken from said common source and introduced into said second means, said feeder means comprising a guide track having formed therein a guide surface, a base, a drive shaft extending from said base, a body member pivotally situated on said base, friction clutch means operatively connecting said body member to said drive shaft, a wheeled follower assembly carried by said body member and resiliently urged against said guide surface, and an extending finger-like member adapted for frictional engagement with one of said articles, said drive shaft being effective to at times through said friction clutch means rotatingly drive said body member in a manner causing said wheeled follower assembly to follow said guide surface and in so doing frictionally engage and take from said common source said one of said articles and introduce said one of said articles into said second means.
 9. A sorting apparatus according to claim 1 including means for providing a propelling force, greater than the force of gravity, to such of said articles as are introduced into said second means.
 10. A sorting apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for providing a propelling force comprises first propelling means for propelling said articles through said respective channels and second propelling means for propelling said articles through said respective passageways.
 11. A sorting apparatus according to claim 9 including additional means situated in close proximity to said propelling means for preventing the unintentional simultaneous introduction of more than one of said articles into said respective channels within said second means.
 12. A sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said first modular means comprises an inlet with pivotally positionable diverter chute means situated generally therein, said chute means being pivotally positionable to selected positions corresponding generally to the directions of at least certain of said laterally spaced passageways, and wherein said plurality of door assemblies are pivotally positionable to deflect and divert such articles of mail as pass through said chute means into a selected one of said laterally spaced passageways.
 13. A sorting apparatus according to claim 12, including first solenoid means operatively connected to said diverter chute means for pivotally positioning said chute means, and second solenoid means operatively connected to said door assemblies for selectively pivotally positioning said doors.
 14. A sorting apparatus according to claim 13 including electrically actuated feeder means effective when actuated for intermittently and successively causing said articles to be taken from said common source and introduced into said second means interposed between said common source and said first means, and including electrical circuit means containing a plurality of independent switch means, each of said independent switch means being effective upon closure to cause: a. actuation of said feeder means; b. positioning of certain of said selector means to define certain of said plurality of channels; and c. energize certain of said solenoid means so as to selectively position said chute means and said door assemblies in order to thereby define said path For said article.
 15. A sorting apparatus for sorting articles of mail to be successively taken from a common source and distribured to various receiving means, comprising first feeder means for successively moving an article of mail from said source to associated second means, said second means comprising elevation selector means having an inlet end extending over substantially one elevational level and an outlet end extending over a plurality of elevational levels; said selector means being effective to accept said article of mail from said feeder means at said inlet end and route said article of mail to a selected one of said plurality of elevational levels, and deflector means for receiving said article of mail from said selector means and routing said article of mail to one of said associated receiving means, said deflector means comprising a plurality of deflector assemblies, each of said deflector assemblies comprising a housing-like body with an inlet end and a plurality of outlets, a plurality of laterally spaced passageways formed in said deflector body in general communication with each other and with said plurality of outlets and said deflector inlet, a plurality of deflector doors carried generally within said passageways, said deflector doors being effective to be variably selectively positioned as to define a desired path of travel for said article of mail from said inlet of said deflector assembly through at least one of said passageways and out through one of said plurality of deflector outlets, said plurality of deflector assemblies being elevationally arranged in generally stacked relationship to each other as to thereby position the respective inlets of said deflector assemblies at a plurality of elevational levels corresponding to the plurality of deflector assemblies employed and so as to be generally juxtaposed to said outlet end of said selector means.
 16. A sorting apparatus according to claim 15, including a pivotal deflector chute-like structure situated generally in each of said inlets of said deflector assemblies, each of said deflector chutes being pivotally positionable to accept said article of mail from said selector means and angularly deflect the path of travel of said article of mail to a selected one of said plurality of passageways.
 17. A sorting apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said selector means comprises body means defining a plurality of channels, each of said channels having an inlet and an outlet, each of said channel inlets being lateraly spaced from each other but at substantially the same elevational level, and each of said channel outlets being vertically spaced from each other and at respectively different elevational levels, each of said elevational levels corresponding to the elevational level of the respective inlets of said deflector assemblies.
 18. A sorting apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said feeder mechanism comprises a relatively resilient member frictionally engageable with successive ones of said articles of mail at said source, a drive member for carrying said resilient member toward and away from said source, and guide means for causing said resilient member to travel in a substantially linear path path after said drive member has moved said resilient member toward said source a predetermined distance, said guide means being effective for enabling said resilient member to frictionally engage one of said articles of mail and move said article of mail toward said second means as said resilient member travels in said linear path, said guide means being further effective after said resilient member has traveled a predetermined distance along said linear path for causing said resilient member to move in a direction away from said source.
 19. A sorting apparatus according to claim 15, including means for providing a propelling force greater than the force of gravity to such of said articles of mail as are introduced into said second means.
 20. A sorting apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said means for providing a propelling force comprises a first propelling means for propelling said articles of mail through said respective channels and second propelling means for propelling said articles of mail through said respective passageways.
 21. A sorting apparatus according to claim 19, including additional means situated in close proximity to said means for providing a propelling force for preventing the unintentional simultaneous introduction of more than one of said articles of mail into said second means.
 22. A sorting apparatus according to claim 17, including a pivotal deflector chute-like structure situated generally between said feeder means and said selector means, said deflector chute being pivotally positionable to accept said article of mail from said feeder means and angularly deflect the path of travel of said article of mail to a selected one of said inlets of said channels.
 23. A sorting apparatus according to claim 15, including actuating means for actuating all of said door assemblies, said actuating means comprising a plurality of motor means with respective ones of said motor means being operatively connected for actuating as a group all of said door assemblies of the respective deflector assemblies as are generally vertically aligned with each other. 